Ground-marker and trip-actuator.



PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

F. H. MORSE. GROUND MARKER AND TRIP ACTUATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MA.R.28,190.

2 SHBETS-SHEET 1.

mm i m ATTORNEY PATENTBD FEB. 1907.

F. H. MORSEL, GROUND MARKER AND TRIP AOTUATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.28,1906.

, 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4W1 H MM; INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

WITNESSES W J mmm, n, r

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK H. MORSE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

GROUND-MARKER AND TRIP-ACTUATOR.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. Monsn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ground-Markers and Trip-Actuators, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a marking mechanism and a trip-actuatingdevice, and more particularly to the combination thereof.

This invention has utility when embodied in a traveling machine whereinthe recurrence of certain operations termined distances apart isdesirable. condition arises in seeders and planters.

Referring to the drawings, which are here by made a part of thisspecification, Figure 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of myinvention in a corn-planter. 2 shows a view on the line 11 II of Fig. 1looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 shows an en larged planview of one of the marker-embedding wheels of the device, a portion ofthe wheel being broken away to more clearly show the form of the rim.Fig. 4 shows a portion of the runner and marker. Fig. 5 shows across-section of the runner. Figs. 6 and 7 show cross-sectional views ofdifferent forms of runners with markers therefor. Fig. 8 shows a frontview and Fig. 9 a side view of the trip-lever, and Figs. 10 and 11 aresimilar views of a different .form of trip. The novel constructionproper comprises the endless cables 1, carrying the markers 2, travelingover the wheels 3 and 4, the runner or presser 5 serving, when lowered,to hold the markers firmly in the ground after being embedded by wheel3, thereby causing the endless marker-carrying member to begroundactuated as the machine is hauled along. The forward end of therunner 5 is held relative to the wheel 3 by the yoke 6. The rear end ofthe runner 5 is adjustably held relative to the wheel 4 by the yoke 7. Aplurality of holes 8 in the runner 5 permit of adjustment of the wheel lrelative to the runner 5, which adjustment affords a convenient meansfor taking up slack in the endless flexible member and permits of readyadjustment to accommodate length of cables when it is desired to changethe distance between the markers, this generally rendering necessary anew length for the endless members to make them a multiple of thedistance between the markers.

This

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 28,1906- SerialNo. 308,513.

at fixed or prede Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

The arms of the yoke 6 extend forward beyond the axle of the wheel 3 toengage the upright or standard 10, carrying the colter or shovel 11,which serves to open a shallow furrow for the wheel 3, and thereby givesa uniform surface into which the wheel 3 may force the marker 2. Themarkers. as shown, are of such a form as to be easily embedded andfirmly held. The curved side is gradually pressed into the soil, whilewhen set the straight side offers a maximum of resistance to pull.Accordingly as the machine moves along the marker remains firmly fixedin the ground, actuates the endless cables, and on withdrawing leaves aclear and distinct impression.

As herein shown the mechanism is attached to a corn-planter frame, thewheel 3 being journaled adjacent to and an upright 10 being attached tothe tongue 12 thereof. One of the braces 13 for the tongue is spacedover to permit of centrally placing the marker and trip-actuatingmechanism. This results in a neat compact construction simple inarrangement and effective in operation.

The furrow-openers 14 (shown in part in dotted lines in Fig. 2) arelocated below the rear end of the tongue 12 and are pivotally connectedto the frame 15, which frame is carried by the axle 16 of the mainwheels 17 of the planter. On the forward end of the frame 15, above thefurrow-openers 14, are the seed or grain boxes 18. The frame alsocarries the seat 19, hand-lever 20, and idler 21. The idler or guidepulley 21. is mounted on the same pivot-pin as the handlever 20. Thehandlever 20 may be locked in various positions on the segment, andthrough the link 22 lift or lower the tongue 12 and furrowopeners 14.This operation of the handlever also tilts the forward end of the markermechanism. Through the foot-lever 23 and link 24. the rear end of themarker mechanism may be lifted or lowered.

The device comprising the frame 5 6 7 and wheels 3 4 for theendlessanarker carrying members 1 constitutes a support which hasindependent tilting means 20 23 for each end thereof.

A toothed catch may be provided under which the foot-lever may be swungto lock it in various positions.

The idler 21 serves to properly guide the cables 1 toward the trip 26,which trip, as herein shown, is mounted on the bar 27, the

l tilting of which bar by the marker striking lIO the lever 26 permitsregular dropping of grain or seed from the boxes 18. The trip l isretracted by the spring 28 and so immef diately brought back intoposition as soon i as one marker passes in readiness to be en- I gagedby the next marker.

Between the flanges of the wheels 3 and 4 scrapers 29 act to removeadhering matter and keep the peripheries thereof clean for the cables.

The T-shaped runner of Figs. 4 and 5 is v a light, simple, and rigidconstruction. The runner 5 of Fig. 6 is a desirable construction, whichbesides being light and rigid permits of a curved rim to the wheels 3and 4, and in connection with such rims positively keeps the endlessmember and markers guided while on the lower side. The markers '2 areconstructed to coact with the runner 5. The runner 5 of Fig. 7 hascoacting marker 2. This construction embodies the advantages of theother forms.

The trip may be of various forms. In Figs. 10 and 11 a trip is shownwhich is forked. This trip 26 is mounted on a round bar 27, to which itis keyed by a setscrew. The same result is accomplished by forming thebar 27 angular, as shown in Fig. 9. Dotted lines, Fig. 2, show movementof the trip.

The hand-lever 20 and foot-lever 23 are conveniently placed so that themarker and trip mechanism can be easily operated.

It is desirable that the mechanism be sufliciently long to permit of atleast two markers being embedded in the ground at once. When soconstructed, the operation will be regular, and if used in planting nohills will be missed, for if an obstruction is in the field and it isnecessary to lift first the forward end and then the rear as the machinepasses there will always be a marker in engagement with the ground.

In completing a row the mechanism is lifted oif the ground by the handand foot levers. In resetting to start back across the field theposition of the mechanism beneath l the driver permits him to getdirectly over the marker and sight across the field. If the i marker onthe planter is not in proper position, the cables 1 may be grasped bythe hand and pulled into the proper position, l

when the foot and hand levers may be released and the return tripcommenced. The foot and hand levers are controllable means for renderingthe device inoperative by lifting off the ground.

The showing in the drawings is merely one embodiment of the idea of theinvention, and this showing is not to be construed as in any waylimiting the claims hereto appended to any greater degree than the termsof the claims demand. In other words, the elements of the claims are tobe interpreted broadly, giving me the advantage of equivalents.

What is claimed, and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A marker-carrying device and independent tilting means for each endthereof.

2. A planter having a seeding device, a trip therefor and a marker,adjustable independently of the seeding device, for actuating the trip.

3. A planter having furrow-openers, a marker-carrying device adjustableindependently of the furrow-openers, a marker and a trip actuated by themarker.

4. A planter having furrow-openers, an endless flexible marker-carryingmember adjustable independently of the furrow-openers, a marker and atrip actuated by the marker.

5. An endless flexible member, supporting means therefor,member-propelling markers and a marker-actuated trip.

6. A driven member, a trip and a groundengaging trip-actuating marker todrive the member.

7. A ground-marking device comprising a pair of wheels, an endlesscarrier, markers thereon, and a runner for holding the wheelembeddedmarkers in the ground.

8. A trip-actuating device comprising a pair of wheels, an endlesscarrier, wheel-embedded propellers, and a runner for holding thepropellers embedded.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

FREDERICK H. MORSE.

IVitnesses:

M. T. McOosPnEY. C. C; SMITH.

